Governors & Staff | Prep School Essex | St Mary’s Colchester

Governors & staff

Relationships with parents and carers are truly valued at St Mary’s. We believe that a successful education rests upon strong partnerships between home and school. We are therefore wholly committed to establishing good parent/teacher relationships and we encourage parents to contact any member of staff at any time should they have concerns or simply want an interim report on progress.

St Mary’s are always happy to consider applications from prospective governors. If you are interested in finding out more please email the Clerk to the Governors, clerk@stmarycolchester.org.uk.

St Mary’s Governors

Mr Graeme Lambert

Position:
Co-Chair
Qualifications:
BComm (Commerce, University of Edinburgh)

Whilst not coming from an educationalist’s background, one still might say that I have spent a lifetime in the private education sector; in my youth on the receiving end and in...

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Mr Jack Magill

Position:
Co-Chair
Qualifications:
MA English (Christ’s College, Cambridge)

Jack is a retired Headmaster who spent a number of years in the 1980s as a Deputy Head at New Hall School, before becoming a Headmaster at Foyle College in Ireland...

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Mrs Kate Abbott

Position:
Governor
Qualifications:
BA (Hons) English Literature (University of Reading); PGCE

A former St Mary’s pupil – all the way from Kindergarten to Year 11 and taking GCSEs, before finally leaving in 1990 to go to The Leys for A levels. After...

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Mr Mark Jackson

Position:
Governor
Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Environmental Planning (Anglia Ruskin University)

Mark has been a part of the St. Mary’s School community for the past 10 years. During this time, both of his daughters have attended the school, which has helped him...

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Mrs Esther Eddy

Position:
Governor
Qualifications:
BA (Hons) History (Hull University); QTS

As a local Primary School Teacher, Esther has a wide range of experience within the education sector. In addition to this, Esther is a member of SACRE and supports RE across...

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Mrs Debbie Hamilton

Position:
Governor
Qualifications:
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Suffolk College)

Debbie is a former pupil and has worked locally as a Children’s Nurse for thirty years specializing in SEND in a Special School. She is a member of a Royal College...

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Mr Tony Bell

Position:
Governor
Qualifications:
MHCIMA, DipWSET

As a parent of a former pupil, my daughter journeying from Prep through to becoming Head Girl in Year 11, I felt that she had got so much out of St...

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Mr Samuel Flower

Position:
Governor
Qualifications:
LLB, Law (Anglia Ruskin University)

I may not come from an educational background, other than being a former student (although not of St Mary’s!), but I hope that I am able to effectively contribute to the...

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Mr Craig Woods

Position:
Governor
Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology (Anglia Ruskin University)

Craig joined St Mary’s School governing body in 2023. He brings professional experience in architecture and project management. Craig’s professional experience has equipped him with excellent problem-solving skills, a keen eye...

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Mr Andrew Hampton

Position:
Governor
Qualifications:
MA (Education); NPQH

Andrew Hampton was a Headteacher for 18 years and was head at Thorpe Hall School in Southend from 2007 to 2021. He is the creator of Girls on Board and author...

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The Co-Chairs of Governors may be contacted via the Clerk to the Governors on clerk@stmaryscolchester.org.uk

Senior Leadership Team

Mrs Nicola Griffiths

Position:
School Principal
Qualifications:
MA PGCE NPQH

Educated locally, Mrs Griffiths attended Colchester County High School for Girls and The Sixth Form College, Colchester. She then went on to study at St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford, reading...

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Mrs Emma Stanhope

Position:
Vice Principal
Qualifications:
G Mus PGCE NPQH

Mrs Stanhope is an experienced primary school teacher. She joined St Mary’s in 2002 as a senior teacher and in 2006, became Primary Curriculum Leader, responsible for the development of the...

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Mrs Elizabeth Bevan

Position:
Head of Finance and Operations
Qualifications:
BSc (Business Administration, University of Wales)

Mrs Bevan is a former St Mary’s girl, who attended the Lower School between 1984 and 1991, before moving on to Colchester County High School for Girls for her secondary school...

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Mrs Antonia Lovegrove

Position:
Head of Marketing, Admissions and Communications
Qualifications:
BA (English Literature, University of Wales)

Mrs Lovegrove joined St Mary’s in 2019 as Head of Marketing, Admissions and Communications. After successfully achieving a degree in English Literature at the University of Wales, Swansea, Mrs Lovegrove worked...

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KINDERGARTEN STAFF

  • Miss Suzy Violett | Early Years Foundation Degree Level 3 Forest School | Kindergarten Manager
  • Miss Emma Copping | Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development | Kindergarten Practitioner
  • Miss Carla Martins | NVQ Level 3 in Childcare | Kindergarten Practitioner
  • Miss Thea Millard | CACHE Level 4 in Childcare | Kindergarten Practitioner
  • Miss Rachel Pyke | CACHE Level 3 | Kindergarten Practitioner
  • Mrs Louise Stock | Early Years Foundation Degree | Kindergarten Practitioner
  • Mrs Donna Turner | CACHE Level 3 | Kindergarten Practitioner
  • Mrs Jenny Vakalopoulou | Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator | Kindergarten Practitioner

LOWER SCHOOL TEACHING STAFF

  • Mrs Denise Adamson | BA (Hons) QTS NPQSL | Assistant Head of Lower School (Pastoral); SENCO Assessment Coordinator
  • Mrs Claire Bowell | BA (Hons) PGCE | Music Teacher
  • Miss Robyn Cheeseman | CACHE Level 3 | Prep Practitioner
  • Ms Victoria Coleman | BA (Hons) QTS | Class Teacher; Art Co-ordinator; Science Subject Lead
  • Ms Michelle Gray | HLTA | Teaching Assistant
  • Mrs Angela Folkerd | BA (Hons) QTS | PE Teacher
  • Mrs Karen Howard | NNEB CACHE Diploma Level 2 | Teaching Assistant
  • Mrs Victoria Ingram |BA (Hons) PGCE | Class Teacher
  • Mrs Carolyn Kurzynski | BEd (Hons) | Class Teacher; RE Co-ordinator
  • Mrs Deryn Lilley | BA (Hons) PGCE | PE Teacher
  • Mrs Elisavet Mangwana | MA BA (Hons) PGCE | Class Teacher; History Co-ordinator
  • Mrs Deborah McDonald | BA (Hons) PGCE | Lower School Language Teacher
  • Mrs Joanne Paisley | BA (Hons) Early Childhood Professional Practice | Teaching Assistant
  • Mrs Sarah Rees | CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education Level 3 | Teaching Assistant
  • Mr Benjamin Sutcliff| BA (Hons) PGCE | Class Teacher; Maths Subject Lead
  • Mrs Brogan Tuxford| BA (Hons) QTS | Class Teacher; DT Co-ordinator; English Subject Lead
  • Mr Stuart Wainwright | BA (Hons) QTS | Class Teacher
  • Mrs Zoe Wentworth | BA (Hons) QTS | Assistant Head of Lower School (Academic); Prep Class Teacher; Assessment Co-ordinator

LOWER SCHOOL NON-TEACHING STAFF

  • Mr Ivan Birchmore | Caretaker
  • Miss Louise Clarke | Lower School Office Assistant
  • Mrs Donna Connelly | Midday Assistant
  • Miss Isabella Garrard | GAP Assistant
  • Miss Claire Humphrey | Midday Assistant
  • Mr Mark Mangwana | IT Manager
  • Mrs Sarah Nicholls | Marketing Officer
  • Mrs Sarah Norman | Library Assistant
  • Miss Elizabeth Rochford | Finance Assistant
  • Mrs Jenefer Rudling | Lower School Office Manager
  • Mrs Lizanne Shiret | Assistant Head of Finance
  • Mrs Louise Stevenson | Marketing Assistant
  • Mrs Molly Terry | HR & Compliance Officer; Clerk to the Governors
  • Mr Neil Thompson | Groundskeeper & Maintenance Caretaker
  • Mrs Justine Tierney | Registrar
  • Mr Alex Turner | IT Technician
  • Mr Ross Weaving | Assistant Head of Operations

LOWER SCHOOL VISITING STAFF

  • Ms Karen Binks | Dip (Musical Theatre) | LAMDA, Acting and Performance
  • Mr Timothy Clapp | Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Popular Music, Certificate in Education | Drums
  • Miss Chantelle Cooke | BA (Hons) | Cheerleading
  • Miss Stephanie Cook | BA (Hons) | Ballet
  • Mrs Anneke Cullen | Gardening Club
  • Mr Tim Curd | BA (Hons) | Brass
  • Mr Gregory Eaton | BA (Hons), LTCL | String
  • Miss Karalyn Foord | Forest Schools Lead
  • Ms Nina Gorman | Street Dance
  • Miss Cheryl Jessop | Post Graduate Diploma in Early Music | Violin and Cello
  • Mr Adrian Johnson | BA (Hons) Music | Guitar
  • Mrs Victoria Lascelles | BMus (Hons) | Piano, Choir, and Performances
  • Mr Dan Mather | Football
  • Mr Colin Matthews | LLCM CertMusic Ed TCL | Brass
  • Mrs Kathryn Urand | BA (Hons) | Woodwind
  • Mrs Helen Wright | BA (Hons) Music | Singing

SENIOR SCHOOL TEACHING STAFF

  • Mr Mark Bainton | BEd (Hons) | Subject Lead – ICT
  • Mrs Deborah Bannister | BSc (Hons) PGCE | Head of Faculty – STEM
  • Mrs Claire Bowell | BA (Hons) PGCE | Music Teacher
  • Mrs Angela Bush | BEd (Hons) | Subject Lead – Latin & Classics
  • Mrs Charlotte Chamberlain | BA (Hons) PGCE | Modern Foreign Languages Teacher
  • Miss Sian Chambers | BA (Hons) QTS | Subject Lead – Food Technology
  • Mrs Janette Cliff | BSc (Hons) QTS | Science Teacher
  • Miss Natalie Crewe | BA (Hons) PGCE | Assistant Head of Senior School (Pastoral)
  • Dr Elisabeth Collier | PhD MA BA (Hons) QTS | Subject Lead – Drama & English Teacher
  • Miss Rebecca Doe| BA (Hons) | Subject Lead – Modern Foreign Languages; Phase Lead – Year 10 and Year 11 & Post 16 Transition
  • Mr Dominic Gosling | BSc (Hons) QTS | Subject Lead – Maths
  • Mrs Emma Hawkwood | BEd (Hons) | Head of Faculty – Sport & Outdoor Education
  • Mrs Jude Johnson | BEd (Hons) | PSHE Lead
  • Mrs Rosemary Kelly | MA BA (Hons) PGCE | Head of Faculty – Languages
  • Mrs Kathryn Kiernan | MEd BA) | Assistant Head of Senior School (Pastoral) (Maternity Cover)
  • Mrs Florence Lazos | BA (Hons) PGCE | Head of Faculty – Creative & Performing Arts
  • Miss Lucille Long | LLB (Hons) PGCE | SENCo
  • Miss Joanna Middleditch | BSc (Hons) QTS | PE & History Teacher
  • Mrs Marina Mitchell | BEd (Hons) PGCE | English Teacher; Phase Lead – Years 8 & 9
  • Mrs Luminita Murray | BSc (Hons) MSc | Science Teacher
  • Mrs Katie Palfree | BA (Hons) PGCE | Subject Lead – Textiles
  • Mr Simon Parkinson | BSc (Hons) PGCE QTS | Assistant Head of Senior School (Academic)
  • Mrs Caroline Parry-Jones | CertEd FETC | Textiles Teacher
  • Mrs Claire Pullen | BSc (Hons) PGCE | Maths Teacher
  • Mr Benjamin Rassell | BA (Hons) MA PGCE | Assistant Head of Senior School (Co-Curricular); Subject Lead – History
  • Mrs Laura Riddell | BA (Hons) PGCE QTS | MFL Teacher
  • Mrs Lindsey Snow | BA (Hons) PGCE QTS | Modern Foreign Languages Teacher
  • Mrs Holly Tippett | BSc (Hons) PGCE QTS | Science Teacher
  • Mrs Laura Washington | MA BSc | Head of Faculty – Humanities
  • Mrs Sue Waxman | BA (Hons) PGCE  QTS| Subject Lead – Music
  • Mr Daniel Williams | BA (Hons) PGCE | Maths Teacher
  • Miss Victoria Wilson | BA (Hons) PGCE | Religious Studies Teacher
  • Miss Heidi Wright | BSc (Hons) PGCE | Maths Teacher; Phase Lead Year 6-7 Transition

SENIOR SCHOOL NON-TEACHING STAFF

  • Mrs Suzanne Arnold | Textiles Technician
  • Mrs Fi Baldwin | Senior School Office Lead & PA to SLT
  • Mrs Kirsty Bartle | Senior School Pupil Administrator
  • Mrs Clare Beckett | Midday Assistant
  • Mr Paul Burgoyne| BEd (Hons) | Cover Supervisor
  • Mrs Alexis Cornell | Textiles Technician
  • Mr Jayke Craven | GAP Assistant
  • Mr Paul Donnelly | Caretaker
  • Mr Stephen Drage | Minibus Driver
  • Mrs Sarah Enright | Minibus Driver
  • Mr Gary Evans | Minibus Driver
  • Mr Andrew Free | Minibus Driver
  • Mr Alan Godley | Minibus Driver
  • Mrs Sheree Kitteridge | Exams Officer
  • Mrs Lucy Mackin | Midday Assistant & Food Technicia
  • Ms Pinky Mak | Food Tech Technician
  • Mr Mark Mangwana | IT Manager
  • Mr David Manson | Minibus Driver
  • Mrs Diane Mercer | Art Technician
  • Mrs Sarah Nicholls | Marketing Officer
  • Mrs Sarah Norman | Library Assistant
  • Mr Richard Pavitt | Minibus Driver
  • Miss Elizabeth Rochford | Finance Assistant
  • Mrs Lizanne Shiret | Assistant Head of Finance
  • Mrs Louise Stevenson | Marketing Assistant
  • Mrs Molly Terry | HR & Compliance Officer; Clerk to the Governors
  • Mr Neil Thompson | Groundskeeper & Maintenance Caretaker
  • Mrs Justine Tierney | Registrar
  • Mr Alex Turner | IT Technician
  • Mr Gabriele Uliana | MSc | Science Technician
  • Mrs Karen Waddilove | Minibus Driver
  • Mr Ross Weaving | Assistant Head of Operations

SENIOR SCHOOL VISITING STAFF

  • Ms Karen Binks | Dip (Musical Theatre) | LAMDA, Acting and Performance
  • Mr Paul Button | Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator
  • Mr Timothy Clapp | Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Popular Music; Certificate in Education | Drums
  • Mr Tim Curd | BA (Hons) | Brass
  • Mrs Nicola Gawthrop | BA (Hons) | Singing
  • Mr Michael Iskas | BMus (Hons), MA, Post Graduate Advanced Diploma, LRAM, QTS | Violin and Viola
  • Mrs Olivia Iskas | BA (Hons), MA, Post Graduate Diploma | Cello
  • Miss Cheryl Jessop | Post Graduate Diploma in Early Music | Violin and Cello
  • Mr Adrian Johnson | BA (Hons) in Music | Guitar
  • Mrs Victoria Lascelles | BMus (Hons) | Piano, Choir, and Performances
  • Mr David Mitchell | Performance MA, BA (Hons) | Piano
  • Ms Joy Smith | BA (Hons) | Harp
  • Mrs Kathryn Urand | BA (Hons) | Woodwind
  • Mrs Helen Wright | BA | Singing
Additional Kindergarten places now available

Due to growing demand for places at our Kindergarten we are expanding and have additional places now available. Get in touch to find out more about our:

  • excellent early years provision
  • numerous activities on offer
  • first-class nursery facilities
  • flexible childcare options

Find out more